The 8 local and Michigan bands you'll hear at the "Free Show 2016" in Midland on Sunday

Chris Aldridge caldridge@mdn.net

Published 6:30 am, Friday, July 8, 2016

A taste of blues, reggae, rock, heavy metal, funk and pop is on tap for a concert showcasing local talent at the Nicholson-Guenther Band Shell in Central Park on Sunday.

And yes, “Free Show 2016” means admission to the noon to 9 p.m. event is free.

Here are the eight local and Michigan bands booked for the show:

• Gutbucket: This is the highlight of the show, event organizer Brett DeSautel said. Gutbucket is a three-piece blues-rock jam band from Midland. The band says its sound is inspired by Cream, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

• Common Misconception: A Midland modern rock quintet, for which DeSautel, 42, plays guitar.

• 23 North is a Midland group of 10 that plays blues, jazz and funk. An exciting part of 23 North, DeSautel says, is its full horn section.

Response from “dozens and dozens” of bands has been overwhelming this year, DeSautel said. The 2015 show drew about 500 people, he said.

DeSautel said he started playing shows at the band shell in Central Park, at the intersection of Rodd and Collins streets, when he was 19 or 20. He grew up two blocks from the park and through the years noticed a void in Midland venues for local bands. This year’s show will be the fifth all-day concert he’s promoted in the past 22 years at the band shell.

DeSautel bills it as a “truly underground event” and the only one in the county with its focus on original music. The guitarist said he is most excited to take the stage.

“I wanted to play my live roll ‘n’ roll music to as big an audience as I could get,” DeSautel said of a childhood dream he’s had since he was 10 years old.

Donations were made from local businesses and a variety of pizza, sandwiches and drinks will be available for purchase from Cottage Inn, he said. For more info, check The Free Show Midland MI Facebook page.